Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Utility Patent
1999-12-13
2001-01-02
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C073S170160, C073S170220, C073S718000, C073S724000, C073S700000
Utility Patent
active
06169487
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to atmospheric pressure sensors and storm warning indicators and particularly to personal storm warning systems.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,667 discloses a device that uses a motor vehicle, and related devices, to gradually track barometric pressure for the purpose of alarming at the approach of severe weather conditions over an extend historical time period.
The prior art also includes other devices, of both mechanical and electrical design, that are presented as severe storm warning devices. These units are complex and expensive and do not satisfy the individual need for a device that monitors atmospheric pressure stability, and then responds to adverse atmospheric pressure conditions in a timely manner. What is desired is a personal severe storm warning system. The device should be inexpensive, simple in construction, self-compensating, of rugged design, user friendly and is free standing with reasonable battery life. None of the prior art devices are satisfactory.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a severe storm warning system that comprises an atmospheric pressure sensing means for sensing changes in atmospheric pressure, the sensing means includes a chamber having an air-filled interior space and a first pressure sensor mounted between the interior space and the atmosphere for comparing the pressure inside the chamber with the pressure of the atmosphere and providing an output signal indicative of the results of the comparison. The first pressure sensor includes a multiple-plate floating plate capacitor having spaced plates movable in response to changes in atmospheric pressure with respect to the pressure inside the chamber. The first pressure sensor is located inside the chamber.
In other aspects of the invention there is a second pressure sensor mounted between the interior space and the atmosphere for comparing the pressure inside the chamber with the pressure of the atmosphere and providing a second output signal indicative of the results of the comparison, the second pressure sensor being located outside the chamber. The second pressure sensor includes a multiple plate floating plate capacitor having spaced plates movable in response to changes in the atmospheric pressure with respect to the pressure inside the chamber. The sensing means includes memory means for remembering the output signal and also includes circuit means for periodically detecting the output signal for determining changes in atmospheric pressure during a time interval as determined by the circuit means. The circuit means includes memory means for remembering the output signals periodically detected by the circuit means. The sensing means includes indicator means for providing indication when the output signals remembered by the memory means are of predetermined values as established by the sensing means. The predetermined values established by the sensing means includes a plurality of sequences of changes in atmospheric pressure of a predetermined typical signature for the type of severe storm being determined.
In other aspects of the present invention there is provided in a severe storm warning system comprising atmospheric pressure sensing means for sensing changes in atmospheric pressure, the sensing means includes detector means for sequentially determining the atmospheric pressure at selected time intervals and providing an output signal indicative of the difference in atmospheric pressure detected during one time interval and the atmospheric pressure detected at an earlier time interval, indicating means responsive to the output signal for providing an indication when changes of a predetermined nature in atmospheric pressure have occurred as determined by the indicating means. The detector means includes at least one multi-plate floating plate capacitor having spaced plates movable in response to changes in atmospheric pressure for varying the capacitance of at least one capacitor. The detector means includes memory means for remembering the output signals. The sensing means includes a chamber having air filled interior space, the detector means determining the pressure in the chamber and outside the chamber. There is also a first pressure sensor located inside the chamber. Also included is a second pressure sensor mounted between the interior space and the atmosphere for comparing the pressure inside the chamber with the pressure of the atmosphere and providing a second output signal indicative of the results of the comparison, the second pressure sensor being located outside the chamber. The second pressure sensor mounted between the interior space and the atmosphere for comparing the pressure inside the chamber with the pressure of the atmosphere and providing a second output signal indicative of the results of the comparison, the second pressure sensor being located outside the chamber. The second pressure sensor includes a multiple-plate floating plate capacitor having spaced plates movable in response to changes in the atmospheric pressure with respect to the pressure inside the chamber. The sensing means includes circuit means for periodically detecting the output signal for determining changes in atmospheric pressure during a time interval as determined by the circuit means. The sensing means also includes indicator means for providing an indication when the output signals remembered by the memory means are of predetermined values as established by the sensing means. The predetermined values established by the sensing means includes a plurality of sequences of changes in atmospheric pressure of a predetermined typical signature for the type of severe storm being determined.
In other aspects of the invention there is provided in a severe storm warning system comprising an atmospheric pressure sensing means for sensing changes in atmospheric pressure, the sensing means includes a chamber having an air-filled interior space and a first and second pressure sensor each mounted between the interior space and the atmosphere for comparing the pressure inside the chamber with the pressure of the atmosphere and providing a respective first and second output signals indicative of the results of each comparison. Each said first and second pressure sensor includes a multiple-plate floating plate capacitor, the plates being movable in response to changes in atmospheric pressure with respect to the pressure inside the chamber. The first pressure sensor is located inside the chamber and the second pressure sensor is located outside the chamber.
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Hofsass Jeffery A.
Tang Son M.
Yeager Arthur G.
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